Lower-level job at a top company or senior position at smaller company?

20 Comments

1. Vicki YangOctober 26,2021 at 5:12PM UTC

   I think it depends on what you want to do, why you want to do it, and what kind of environment do you want to do it in. There's quite a bit of difference (in my experience) between a bigger company and a smaller one. Smaller ones usually mean more room to build things, maybe make greater impact in the role, nice opportunity to learn some different skills, tends to be wider in scope, but maybe you can't go as deep sometimes. Bigger companies tend to produce opportunities to go deeper into a role, more stability, usually more clarity around process/procedures (but also hard to change any of that if you want to), more structure. So it all really depends on what you would find more engaging in both a role and the environment. I worked for large tech companies and small start ups and found I like smaller start-ups way more than large tech companies. Both experiences were great to have though and I use learnings from both in my day to day work. :)

2. Elizabeth RagoneOctober 26,2021 at 5:24PM UTC

   I agree that it all depends on what you want. But my gut reaction to wanting a stepping stone to bigger and better in the future, is: more senior role, hands down.

3. Shelby COctober 26,2021 at 5:35PM UTC

   I would take the position at the bigger company because there is presumably more job stability and better insurance due to buying power. You also have room for advancement there.

   Congrats!

4. Gigi DevanneyOctober 26,2021 at 5:36PM UTC

   for me, it would depend on the company culture. I've been in both roles... and now I'm senior in a large company. IMO, you can really broaden your skillset in a smaller company, in a way that you cannot in a larger one. Maybe that is something to consider?

5. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 5:41PM UTC

   This is a tough one for sure. Generally, I"d agree with others who say the higher level position v the larger org. However, IF the larger org would be a "wow" on your resume, then I might change camps. The opportunity to do more leadership etc is a real one and smaller will give you more opportunities to learn more and tell better stories when you're done for future interviews. That said, the larger organization could have benefits, but mostly only if it's a more prestigious organization in name brand in my opinion.

6. SueOctober 26,2021 at 5:52PM UTC

   I would try this - put both companies names at the top of the page...put the good and bad for both and see what looks best. At times I tell people to use this method to see both options. Go with your gut and what you feel is best. If you want what could be more responsibility and more options I would go large company. If you want to be part of the small team, taking on more than the job at hand, go small. There are so many differences with small vs, large.

7. Kathleen Q AdamsOctober 26,2021 at 6:08PM UTC

   Hi -- glad you're finding attractive roles and think offers may be in the works. There's no single answer for your questions but some of the language you've used points to some factors to consider. You mention two mid-level roles at a big company you really want to work at -- knowing that you already like the corporate culture, mission, vision and (ideally) existing products and services is extremely valuable. If you're not equally excited about either the people, the products, or both at the smaller company then you should prioritize the one you know is consistent with your values.

   As for taking a mid-level role rather than a senior role, this is a great conversation to have during the interview process. Share your desire for growth, give examples of ways you could contribute that you think would help the company and demonstrate your readiness for a higher role. Ask what projects of this ilk you might be able to work on in the early part of your tenure, then request a 6-month review with these projects as a focal point. Chances are the hiring manager will love to talk about how you can make an impact right away and jump start your career growth.

8. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 7:34PM UTC

   This is really helpful, thank you! I know a ton about the big company’s corporate culture because I worked there years ago as a contractor, and I still have friends who work there. Definitely more excited about their products than the small company, which I hadn’t even heard of before seeing a job post.

   I appreciate the comment - you’ve given me lots to think about. :)

9. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 7:32PM UTC

   I was always told when comparing 2 offers to pick the one where the ladder extends higher even if the specific role is on a lower rung. Good luck.

10. SamOctober 26,2021 at 8:48PM UTC

    I think this depends on what you want - do you want to climb the ladder? If you do, I would think that having enough ladder to climb would be good.

    On the other hand, if you want to stay where you are - start at the top if you can!

11. April ChuOctober 26,2021 at 11:20PM UTC

    You are in an incredible position to be interviewing with a diverse group of companies. If you are interested in growing, learning and continuing to advance, I would take the senior role as you will have more opportunities. If stability is a priority then the big company will probably be a btter fit. But you will need to ask the both companies what growth looks like for its people. Good luck!

12. Jessica DavisOctober 26,2021 at 11:33PM UTC

    No! I do not think it's a bad idea to pursue a lower-level job if you are interested in the company and you believe you will be satisfied in the role.

    I know many people who have moved into "lower" level roles for a variety of reasons (e.g., turns out they didn't like being a people manager or they were going through a divorce with small children and needed less responsibility). As long as you can show your potential employer that you won't get bored in a lower level role and be looking for a quick promotion that might not be available, there's no one way in which a career has to progress.

    I saw this article posted on LinkedIn recently and really liked it: https://thenextweb.com/news/career-river-syndication

    Think of your career as a river.

13. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdOctober 27,2021 at 1:10AM UTC

    First: Congratulations!!

    Second: Chose whatever job will make you happy and align to your career goals.

    All the best!

14. SUSAN KAHANOctober 27,2021 at 2:22AM UTC

    If all else is the same, I would focus on the people you would be working with most. Do you like them? Do you think you would learn a lot? Where would you be given the most opportunity? Check out Glassdoor or talk to anyone you know who works there to get a sense of how happy people are there. Good luck!!

15. AnonymousOctober 27,2021 at 5:14AM UTC

    Although I was in a different situation than you, I asked myself a similar question of lower level job/top company vs. senior job/smaller company. I was working at a small company where they were offering me a senior position to stay. I ended up taking a job that was a little lower level but with a great/reputable company where I could really see myself growing and having way more opportunities. Just my experience - I couldn’t be happier with where I landed.

16. Lisa MarieOctober 27,2021 at 8:45AM UTC

    If you'll be compensated appropriately, and the work environment presents no challenges to your happiness and contentment, what's the big deal with the status (size) of the company?

    When you'll eventually be going for bigger and better roles, any future hiring managers, *all lived through the same pandemic* where almost everyone had to make unconventional decisions with job search and their careers.

    I do believe you are overthinking your situation a bit.

17. Elianet OlivaOctober 27,2021 at 4:10PM UTC

    I will go with the bigger company, based solely on opportunity for future growth. Based on my own experience, I took a step back in title for a better position with a higher salary, all things are relative when job searching, but you should always look out for the next two moves after this one and if there is no advancement would you feel happy staying put in the long term?

18. AnonymousOctober 27,2021 at 5:15PM UTC

    It depends on the stage you're at in your career. I've found having that marquee value if a large well-known company on your resume helps tremendously with your perceived value early in your career because Best Practices and training are a given at large companies so it's assumed by others that you have Ivy league experience and so you can command more $ in your next jump.

    If you later in your career where you've already create your brand behind your career the cashe of a bigger name won't add as much value so title will be more valuable.

19. AnonymousOctober 27,2021 at 9:43PM UTC

    Most companies will not believe you will be happy with a lower level role and won’t offer one to you. All managers want their employees, especially new hires to be happy and challenged and the right fit.

20. Barb HansenOctober 28,2021 at 9:07PM UTC

    I have worked in small companies (mostly startups) for higher-level titles and I have worked in a few larger companies (international companies with more than 8000 employees) with lower-level titles.

    My answer to your question is "it depends on what you want from your career" AND "there is no one path to success"

    If you want to work at larger companies and you can find a job at a company you like for a lower title then do that.

    If you want to work at smaller companies, then choose that option. Side note: Taking a job at a lower level at a large company can give you skills that you may not garner at a smaller company so jumping to work for a larger company as a pit-stop might catapult your smaller business career.

    It's very hard and almost impossible to switch from a smaller company to a larger company AND keep the same job title.

    Let's say you are a VP at a smaller company with 20 people in your reporting structure and budget of $8M, you are probably not going to get a job as a VP at a large company with 250 people in your reporting structure with a budget of $65M. But you could move from a VP at a smaller company to Sr. Manager or Director at a larger company.

    it's all about the numbers - size of your management structure, size of your budget and the size of the projects your team manages or impacts.

    I tried to do just this. I was working as Sr. Director/VP at startups. When I tried to move into the "real corporate" world, the highest job level that I could get was Senior Manager, and I took that job (the Pay was almost the same).

    I've moved back to Startup Land but the time that I spent in the corporate world made me a better manager/leader and gave me skills that i would never have gotten in startup land.